Surprise, I’m alive! Life has been busy. Multiple kids is no joke! When I sneak in time for myself I’m usually catching up on other people’s blogs, doing a project, catching up on TV or designing stuff for friends and family and my Etsy store (and even that, not so much lately) – so the blog has taken a back seat. I wish it weren’t the case, as there’s so many house projects we’ve done that I’ve never shared, and not to mention a bajillion photos of my cute kids, but unfortunately the blog is low on the list of priorities. Find me on Instagram (@jstuck) if you want proof I’m alive! Fact: I first started writing this update post 3 MONTHS ago.
Time has really flown by and while some things stay the same (every.day.: “Get your shoes on!” (X1,308) “Sit. at. the. table.” “Three more bites!” “Gentle with your brother!” “Jax, no face grabbing! No biting! No eating paper!”), some things have changed quite a bit.
Our laundry/mud room.
Our powder room.
Our master bathroom.
I have a ONE YEAR OLD and a 3 1/2 year old!
(sorry everyone else, I win at cute kids)
And…..we’re moving to Denver, Colorado! Surprise! Cue the sad trombone. While most would be excited, I’m…not so much, can’t lie. It’s what they call “bittersweet”. I have no interest in leaving this house that we’ve put so much work into to make it our home, our great neighbors who are now our friends, friends in general, the amazing town we live in (seriously, Geneva, Illinois – two thumbs up), and most of all, pretty much all of my extended family, especially my parents. It will be so, so, so hard for not only me to not be near them, but especially my kids not growing up with their Grandparents close to them, at every birthday celebration, holiday, occasional little league games…you get the point. I know people do it all the time, sometimes willingly, but it’s not how I grew up, what I wanted or expected. Why are we moving then? Long story short, my husband works from home and can work anywhere, and while he grew up in Illinois, he is not a fan (understatement) of the winters and high cost of living. If one of those could change, we could stay, but unfortunately neither is possible in the foreseeable future. I’m a beach/water/warm person, NOT mountains and skiing, but it did have good schools and family, so, Denver, here we come! Am I excited for anything? Well, yes, I am excited for the gorgeous house we’re building and to be walking distance to my sister-in-law and her family. My three nephews are all close in age to my kids and they will get to grow up together, which will be so fun and good for them. And I suppose the mountains are pretty, and it’s a milder winter (supposed to be – not this year – maybe everyone is just lying to us to get us there ;)) blah blah. 😉
We put our house on the market in November, in like the worst time to sell, but are currently under contract! (If you’re interested in seeing how our home looks now, after all the updates we’ve done, you can see our listing here. Lots to see and compare against the dated befores! Part I and Part II befores. You know, since I suck at updating this blog.) Basically the whole process of selling sucks. I’m never moving again, although I have to hold out hope that we move back home soooooooo there’s that. We close near the end of February on our house here, will move in with my parents for a couple weeks, then make the long, looooooong drive to Colorado and close on our new house in early March. Physically I only have 4 boxes packed so far and mentally I have like -400 packed.
In terms of the blog…with packing, and moving, and having a new city, let alone state, to get used to and a huge house to decorate and my Etsy store, and two kids (hopefully, eventually, not now, three)…unfortunately I don’t see myself sustaining it. It just doesn’t seem possible. While the blog will still exist on WordPress, I will not be renewing the direct URL, http://www.youresomartha.com, so it will only live at youresomartha.wordpress.com. I’m not saying this is forever, but…it might be. It was great while it lasted and I appreciate every. single. reader and comment. Again, if you want proof I’m alive, too many pics of my kids and glimpses of my eventual new house, Instagram is where it’s at for me. Happy New Year, happy new beginnings.
Justine
you're so martha 
sad that you are leaving. someone is very lucky to get your beautiful home in Geneva. AND, your home in Denver looks amazing! What neighborhood are you moving to?
We are moving to North Stapleton – Willow Park East, to be exact
It’s difficult to express my feelings about you moving. I’ll miss my adorable grandsons and handome son-in-law, Ryan, but mostly I will miss you, Justine. You’ve become my best friend and favorite person to hang with – even after the kids are in bed and sometimes, especially after they’re in bed 😉 I ‘m extremely proud of all you’ve accomplished and the amazing mother you’ve become. I know you’ll continue down that path whether you’re in Colorado or next door. So thankfully, you’re not moving to another country. We’ll find a way to be together as much as possible. Who knows, maybe the whole family will move to a warmer climate some day. In the meantime; I’m excited for you. It will be whole new chapter in the Stuckenschneider saga. New horizons to explore and conquer. I’m only a phone call away. You know I’ll always be there for you. Love you, Mom
*tear*